Glaser-Dirks DG-800B accident near Jean, Nevada, June 21, 1998
On June 21, 1998 at about 6:30 pm local time, a Glaser-Dirks DG-800B (glider), registered N98NL, was substantially damaged in an accident near Jean, Nevada (Jean airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The disconnection of the elevator control attachment nut due to improper installation by the manufacturer, which resulted in the pilot's loss of control.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 21, 1998 · about 6:30 pm local time
- Place
- Jean, Nevada · Jean · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Glaser-Dirks DG-800B · all DG-800Bs on the register
- Registration
- N98NL · no longer on the register · serial 8126B55
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The glider impacted terrain and the pilot reported that he lost elevator control. The bolt connecting the pushrod to the elevator was found, but the attaching nut was not found. The European production glider had a total time of 4 hours since manufacture. The metallurgist who examined the bolt reported the first three threads of the accident bolt did not have debris in the roots; however, proper engagement of the locknut would cause six threads to be free of debris. An exemplar locknut in the hand-tightened only position (without engaging the blue plastic lining of the locknut) caused the nut threads to wipe material from the roots of the first three bolt threads
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: glider; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 2,483 hours in all; 1 in this make and model; 28 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 2,163 as pilot in command; 95 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded, April 1, 1998; 1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,157 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Solo 2-625-01 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 0L7
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 20R, 4,600 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 16 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 91°F (33°C), dew point 25°F (-4°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 1:56 am from LAS
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.